Mt. Lebanon’s championship reign ends in football

Mt. Lebanon’s reign as WPIAL champion ended, as did its season, when the Blue Devils dropped a 28-7 decision to Central Catholic in the semifinals of the WPIAL Class 6A football playoffs.
The Blue Devils, who were the 2021 district and state champions with a 15-0 record, finished the 2022 campaign with a 5-6 record. They tied the Vikings for runner-up honors in the Tri-County Five Conference behind champion North Allegheny.
The Vikings turned the tables on the Blue Devils in the teams’ second encounter of the season. Back on Sept. 16, Lebo won with a walk-off field goal, 17-16.
Central, which rolled up 248 yards rushing, struck paydirt first when Payton Wehner rambled 31 yards into the end zone a little more than a minute into the contest. The Vikings needed only three plays on their opening 60-yard scoring drive.
Lebo, however, responded with the equalizer when Johnny McGhee pulled in a 13-yard scoring strike from David Shields. Ben McAuley connected for the extra point.
A pair of second-quarter scores provided the margin Central needed to separate itself from the Blue Devils. Wehner had a hand in both touchdowns. He rushed for a 1-yard score and then connected with Peter Gonzalez for a 19-yard TD pass.
Gonzalez and Wehner hooked up again in the fourth quarter. The 12-yard scoring strike sent the Vikings to the championship contest Nov. 19 against NA and the Blue Devils packing up their gear until next year.
The season did not end before the Blue Devils learned of accolades bestowed upon some of their players.
Five starters gained Big 5/6 Conference first-team laurels. Among them were: Richmond recruit and offensive guard Kade Capristo; wide receiver Michael Beiersdorf; defensive tackle Connor Young; defensive end Grayson Dee and linebacker Will Hartung.
Lebo players garnering second-team all-conference honors were: guard Maddox Metzger; running back Nate Sala; wide receiver Garrett Pavlik; Beckham Dee (at large); and defensive back Anthony Pietragallo.
Center Frank Tinnemeyer, tackle Ryan Long, Shields and McAuley as well as linebackers Rocky Fennell and Michael Gevaudan gained honorable mention recognition.
All, but Young, Shields and Metzger, will be lost to graduation. Young and Metzler are juniors while Shields is a sophomore, who is already committed to play baseball at the University of Miami.